Welcome all! 2011 seemed to be the year of ostensible single-member bands (Washed Out aka Ernest Greene, Cold Cave aka Wesley Eisold, Wild Nothing aka Jack Tatum, New Division aka John Kunkel, Neon Indian aka Alan Palomo, etc). I’m not sure what this signifies for the future (or present) of music, but it’s certainly a curiosity. Anyway, on with the countdown...
ALBUMS
10. The Drums – Portamento
Not quite the tour-de-force as last year’s brilliant debut, but at least The Drums didn’t change their winningly lo-fi 80’s sound one iota.
9. Neon Indian – Era Extrana
Featuring enough distortion and electronic bits to open their own indie music shop.
8. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – Belong
The first PBPH record to really grab me, NYC’s own heart-on-their-sleeve indie poppers released a pretty dynamite set of tunes.
7. Yuck – Yuck
At times seemingly a Dinosaur Jr tribute (not that there’s anything wrong with that), newcomers Yuck scripted a solid rocker from start to finish.
6. The Horrors – Skying
The Horrors continue to defy expectations, thoughtfully evolving their early creepshow rock into a remarkable atmospheric sound all their own. This band is somehow important.
ALBUMS
10. The Drums – Portamento
Not quite the tour-de-force as last year’s brilliant debut, but at least The Drums didn’t change their winningly lo-fi 80’s sound one iota.
9. Neon Indian – Era Extrana
Featuring enough distortion and electronic bits to open their own indie music shop.
8. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – Belong
The first PBPH record to really grab me, NYC’s own heart-on-their-sleeve indie poppers released a pretty dynamite set of tunes.
7. Yuck – Yuck
At times seemingly a Dinosaur Jr tribute (not that there’s anything wrong with that), newcomers Yuck scripted a solid rocker from start to finish.
6. The Horrors – Skying
The Horrors continue to defy expectations, thoughtfully evolving their early creepshow rock into a remarkable atmospheric sound all their own. This band is somehow important.
